Optical fiber connector with improved fixing plate

This patent application claims priority of a Chinese Patent Application No. 202310073258.3, filed on Jan. 31, 2023 and titled “OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber connector, which belongs to a technical field of connectors.

A fiber optic connector in the related art generally includes an insulating body and a plurality of optical fibers assembled to the insulating body. The insulating body includes a mating surface and a plurality of through holes extending through the mating surface. The optical fibers are inserted into corresponding through holes and exposed on the mating surface, so as to mate with a mating connector.

With the continuous development of optical fiber connectors, the optical fiber becomes thinner, and the through holes for receiving the optical fibers become denser. On the one hand, this poses an increasing challenge to the machining accuracy in manufacturing the through holes; and on the other hand, it also poses a challenge on how to mount the optical fibers into these through holes.

Therefore, the design in the related art using the insulating body as the mating surface has become more and more difficult to meet the needs.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fiber optic connector with higher precision.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an optical fiber connector, including: an insulating body including a first end portion, the first end portion including a first end surface; a plurality of optical fibers mounted to the insulating body, each optical fiber including a first extension portion protruding beyond the first end surface; and a fixing plate fixed to the first end portion of the insulating body, the fixing plate and the insulating body being made of different materials, the fixing plate including a mating surface, a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface, and a plurality of through holes extending through the mounting surface and the mating surface; the first extension portion being inserted into a corresponding through hole from the mounting surface; the first extension portion being exposed on the mating surface.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an optical fiber connector, including: an insulating body including a first end surface and a plurality of receiving holes extending through the first end surface; a plurality of optical fibers assembled to the insulating body, each optical fiber including a first extension portion protruding beyond the first end surface; and a ceramic fixing plate fixed to the insulating body, the fixing plate and the insulating body being made of different materials, the fixing plate including a mating surface, a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface, and a plurality of through holes extending through the mounting surface and the mating surface; the plurality of through holes and the plurality of receiving holes being aligned with each other; the first extension portion being inserted into a corresponding receiving hole and a corresponding through hole; the first extension portion being exposed on the mating surface.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an optical fiber connector, including: an insulating body including a first end surface, a second end surface opposite to the first end surface, a plurality of receiving holes extending through the first end surface, and a receiving chamber extending through the second end surface; a plurality of optical fibers assembled to the insulating body, each optical fiber including a first extension portion protruding beyond the first end surface; a ceramic fixing plate fixed to the insulating body, the fixing plate and the insulating body being made of different materials, the fixing plate including a mating surface, a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface, and a plurality of through holes extending through the mounting surface and the mating surface; the plurality of through holes and the plurality of receiving holes being aligned with each other; the first extension portion being inserted into a corresponding receiving hole and a corresponding through hole; the first extension portion being exposed on the mating surface; a fixing shell defining a receiving space; an installation block including a first fixing portion inserted in the receiving chamber of the insulating body, a second fixing portion received in the receiving space, and a slot through which the plurality of optical fibers pass; and a pair of guiding and positioning pins passing through the insulating body and the fixing plate, and protruding beyond the mating surface; the pair of guiding and positioning pins are in lock with the fixing shell so as to fix the fixing shell to the insulating body.

Compared with the prior art, the fixing plate and the insulating body in the present disclosure are made of different materials. With such arrangement, the fixing plate can be made of a material whose precision is easier to guarantee, thereby improving the precision of the optical fiber connector.

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail here, examples of which are shown in drawings. When referring to the drawings below, unless otherwise indicated, same numerals in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The examples described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the application as detailed in the appended claims.

The terminology used in this application is only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to limit this application. The singular forms “a”, “said”, and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates other meanings.

It should be understood that the terms “first”, “second” and similar words used in the specification and claims of this application do not represent any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, “an” or “a” and other similar words do not mean a quantity limit, but mean that there is at least one; “multiple” or “a plurality of” means two or more than two. Unless otherwise noted, “front”, “rear”, “lower” and/or “upper” and similar words are for ease of description only and are not limited to one location or one spatial orientation. Similar words such as “include” or “comprise” mean that elements or objects appear before “include” or “comprise” cover elements or objects listed after “include” or “comprise” and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The term “a plurality of” mentioned in the present disclosure includes two or more.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the case of no conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

Referring toto, a first embodiment of the present disclosure discloses an optical fiber connector, which includes an insulating body, a plurality of optical fibers, a fixing plate, a pair of guiding and positioning pins, a fixing shelland an installation block.

Referring toto, in the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the insulating bodyincludes a first end portionand a second end portionopposite to the first end portion. The first end portionincludes a first end surfaceand a plurality of receiving holesextending through the first end surface. The second end portionincludes a second end surfaceand a receiving chamberextending through the second end surface. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulating bodyfurther includes a middle openingbetween the first end surfaceand the second end surface. The middle openingextends through the insulating bodyalong a vertical direction, so as to facilitate observing the installation state of the optical fibers. The middle openingcommunicates with the plurality of receiving holesand the receiving chamber. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of receiving holesare spaced apart and arranged side by side, and any two adjacent receiving holesare separated by a partition wall of the insulating bodyso as not to interfere with each other. Referring to, in the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the insulating bodyfurther includes a first positioning holeand a second positioning holeextending through the first end surfaceand the second end surface. The first positioning holeand the second positioning holeare located on two sides of the receiving holes, respectively.

The plurality of optical fibersare mounted to the insulating body. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibersare assembled to the insulating body. The optical fibersare inserted into corresponding receiving holes. Each optical fiberincludes a first extension portionprotruding beyond the first end surface. Those skilled in the art can understand that in the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first extension portionis a core of the optical fiber. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, part of the optical fiberand part of the first extension portionof the optical fiberare not shown in the drawings.

Referring to, in the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to facilitate the installation of the plurality of optical fibers, the installation blockis provided with a slotthrough which the plurality of optical fiberspass. The installation blockis an insulating block. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the slotis a flat slot, and all the optical fiberspass through the slot. In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the installation blockincludes a first fixing portioninserted in the receiving chamberand a second fixing portioninstalled and fixed in the fixing shell. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, a height of the first fixing portionis greater than that of the second fixing portionso as to form an installation step portion.

Referring to, in the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing shellis made of a metal sheet. The fixing shellincludes a first mounting wall, a second mounting wallopposite to the first mounting wall, a top wall, a bottom wallopposite to the top wall, and a receiving spacefor receiving the second fixing portion. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first mounting walldefines a first openingcommunicating with the receiving space. The second mounting walldefines a second openingcommunicating with the receiving space.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure of the fixing shelllocated on two sides of the receiving spaceis substantially of a frame configuration. That is, the first mounting wall, the bottom wall, the second mounting walland the top wallare sequentially connected. In this way, the fixing shellhas a relatively high structural strength.

The first mounting wallfurther includes locking wallslocated on two sides of the first opening. Each locking walldefines a locking groove. The locking grooveincludes a first locking grooveextending downwardly through the locking wall, and a second locking groovelocated above the first locking grooveand communicating with the first locking groove. The second locking grooveis a circular hole, and its size is larger than that of the first locking groove. The bottom walldefines a relief slotcommunicating with the first locking slot. The relief slotextends downwardly through the bottom wall.

Referring toto,and, the fixing plateis fixed on the first end portionof the insulating body. The fixing plateand the insulating bodyare made of different materials. The fixed plateincludes a mating surface, a mounting surfaceopposite to the mating surface, and a plurality of through holesextending through the mounting surfaceand the mating surface. The first extension portionsof the optical fibersare inserted into corresponding through holesfrom the mounting surface. The first extension portionsare exposed on the mating surface. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the end surface of each first extension portionis flush with the mating surface. Each optical fiberfurther includes a second extension portionextending beyond the fixing shell.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing plateis a ceramic fixing plate, which is beneficial to improve its precision through machining, such as a flatness of the mating surfaceand a dimensional accuracy of each through hole. The fixing plateis arranged opposite to the fixing shell. The fixing plateand the fixing shell are located at two ends of the insulating body, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing platemates with the insulating bodyto realize the fixing of the two. Due to the relatively high cost of the ceramic fixing plate, in the technical solution shown in the present disclosure, the ceramic fixing plate is provided only at a portion that is used to mate with a mating connector, while other portions still use the insulating body. This design is beneficial to save costs while ensuring accuracy.

The fixing platedefines at least one holeextending through the mounting surfaceand the mating surface. The optical fiber connectorincludes at least one thermal riveting postinserted in the at least one holeso as to fix the fixing plateto the first end portionof the insulating body. In addition, as shown in, the fixing platefurther defines a first mounting holeand a second mounting holewhich extend through the mounting surfaceand the mating surface. The first mounting holeand the second mounting holeare located on two sides of the plurality of through holes. The first mounting holeis aligned with the first positioning hole, and the second mounting holeis aligned with the second positioning hole, in order to install the guiding and positioning pins. Those skilled in the art can understand that, on the one hand, the guiding and positioning pinsprotruding from the fixing platecan play a role of guiding and positioning when mating with the mating connector. On the other hand, when the guiding and positioning pinspass through the first positioning holeand the first mounting hole, and pass through the second positioning holeand the second mounting hole, the fixing platecan be better positioned on the insulating body, which reduces the risk of movement of the fixing plateduring subsequent fixing of the fixing plate.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of through holesare arranged in a row along a first direction C-C. The at least one holeincludes a first holeand a second hole. The first holeand the second holeare located on two sides of the plurality of through holesalong a second direction C-C. The second direction C-Cis perpendicular to the first direction C-C. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one thermal riveting postincludes a first thermal riveting postreceived in the first hole, and a second thermal riveting postreceived in the second hole. The first thermal riveting postand the second thermal riveting postfix the fixing plateand the insulating bodytogether after thermal melting. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first thermal riveting postand the second thermal riveting postare integrally formed with the insulating body. Of course, in other embodiments, the first thermal riveting postand the second thermal riveting postmay also be components manufactured separately from the insulating body.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first holeand the second holeare arranged in a staggered manner along the second direction C-C.

As shown in, each through holeincludes a trumpet hole. The trumpet holeincludes a first orificeand a second orificeopposite to the first orifice. The second orificeextends through the mounting surface. A size of the second orificeis larger than a size of the first orifice. The present disclosure facilitates guiding and installing the first extension portionof the optical fiberin the corresponding through holeby providing the trumpet hole.

Those skilled in the art can understand that the present disclosure can more easily ensure the accuracy of the fixing plateitself by providing the fixing platemanufactured separately from the insulating body. Due to the manufacturing process, even if the dimensional accuracy of the receiving holeof the insulating bodycannot be strictly guaranteed, through the guidance of the trumpet hole, the first extension portionof the optical fibercan also be precisely controlled when it finally enters the through hole.

As shown in, in a second embodiment of the optical fiber connectorof the present disclosure, the insulating bodyis injection-molded on two sides of the fixing platein order to fix the fixing plateto the first end portionof the insulating body. The insulating bodyincludes molding blockscovering two sides and a front end of the fixing plate.

As shown in, the guiding and positioning pinspass through the insulating bodyand the fixing plate, and protrude beyond the mating surface. Each guiding and positioning pinincludes a main body portioninserted in the insulating bodyand the fixing plate, a guiding and positioning portionextending from one end of the main body portionand protruding beyond the fixing plate, and an installation portionextending from another end of the main body portion. The installation portiondefines a locking slit. The locking slitis locked with the locking grooveof the locking wallalong the vertical direction, so as to realize the connection between the guiding and positioning pinsand the fixing shell. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, there are two guiding and positioning pinslocated on two sides of the through holesalong the first direction C-C.

One of the assembly methods of the present disclosure is as follows: firstly, the installation blockis installed to the fixing shell; the second fixing portionis inserted into the first openingfrom front to back; and the installation step portionabuts against the first mounting wallto realize position limitation. Then, the optical fibersare passed through the slot. After that, the guiding and positioning pinsare installed and fixed in the locking groovesof the fixing shell. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding and positioning pinsare installed in the locking grooveof the fixing shellfrom bottom to top. Each guiding and positioning pinpasses through a corresponding relief slotupwardly. The guiding and positioning pinslides upwardly along the first locking groove, and is finally locked in the second locking groove. At this time, the guiding and positioning pinsare fixed to the fixing shellalong the second direction C-C. The aforementioned components are assembled to the insulating bodyas a whole, the first fixing portionis inserted into the receiving chamber, and the guiding and positioning pinsare passed through the insulating bodyand the fixing plate. Finally, the fixing plateis fixed to the first end portionof the insulating body.

Of course, in other embodiments, the fixing platecan also be fixed to the first end portionof the insulating bodyfirst, and then the guiding and positioning pinscan be installed.

Compared with the prior art, the fixing plateand the insulating bodyin the present disclosure are made of different materials. With such arrangement, the fixing platecan be made of materials whose precision is easier to guarantee, thereby improving the precision of the optical fiber connector.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present disclosure and not to limit the technical solutions described in the present disclosure. The understanding of this specification should be based on those skilled in the art. Descriptions of directions, although they have been described in detail in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the application, and all technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the application should be covered by the claims of the application.